Does a dark and moody garden fit your style better than a bright, perky cottage or farmhouse garden? Then a mysterious and brooding gothic or “goth†garden may be the perfect solution for you.
Garden layout
Literature is full of gothic settings featuring crumbling stone walls covered by ivy and concealing a hidden door. Or meandering paths leading to a secret garden.
Think of garden scenes from your favorite spooky movies for inspiration to create paths and dark corners — just keep it all a little mysterious. Forget about “open concept†when designing your goth garden. Instead, create small spaces or corners in your landscape, each with a special feature, such as a fountain, pergola, statue (angels, cherubs, gargoyles, dragons), stone bench or special plantings. Use plants and hardscape and your imagination to create these tucked-away spaces.
Gothic architecture from the 12th to 16th centuries featured pointed arches, ribbed vaults, large windows and elaborate scrollwork designs in stonework, windows or iron. Including a few hardscape items, such as an aged and weathered trellis, elaborate iron gate or fence or dark reflecting pool, will help create a gothic ambience. Stay away from bright shiny metals or consider aging them to develop a weathered patina.
Add in aged or formal containers in dark or muted colors, gazing balls and maybe even a topiary or espalier to create the ideal “goth†feel.
And don’t forget lighting. Uplighting on trees creates shadows and mystery. A spotlight on your favorite garden statue creates a wonderful highlight for evening enjoyment. Pathway lighting helps visitors find their way through the garden to each focal point.
Goth plants?
Of course, for any gardener, choosing the perfect plants is best part of the project. Look for plants with dark-colored flowers or foliage, such as the plants listed below.
Plants with dark, nearly black flowers:
* Sorbet Black Delight Viola — annual, dark purple-black flowers.
For more goth garden plant suggestions, including 1) more plants with black foliage; 2) plants with nearly black fruits and vegetables; and 3) plants with unusual shapes, visit the National Garden Bureau’s Goth Garden: Spooky and Beautiful page at .
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Sarah Browning is an extension educator with Nebraska Extension. To ask a question or reach her, call 402-441-7180 or write to her at sarah.browning@unl.edu or 444 Cherrycreek Road, Lincoln, NE 68528. Learn more about Nebraska Extension at .